Singer Judith Hill recalls Prince plane emergency landing

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 1985 file photo, Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Singer Judith Hill says she was on a plane with Prince when it made an emergency landing in Illinois after he lost consciousness less than a week before his death. Hill told The New York Times that she was "very freaked out" when Prince lost consciousness in the middle of a conversation. Prince died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl six days later. (AP Photo/Liu Heung Shing, File) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – Singer Judith Hill says she was on a plane with Prince when it made an emergency landing in Illinois after he lost consciousness less than a week before his death.

Hill told The New York Times (http://nyti.ms/28NJCRf ) that she was "very freaked out" when Prince lost consciousness in the middle of a conversation.

Hill told the newspaper for a story posted online Tuesday that she shook Prince and called his name while the plane descended to Moline, Illinois. She says he was awake and talking by the time they arrived at a hospital. She says it was the first time she'd ever seen him in distress.

Prince died of an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl six days later.

Hill has declined interview requests from The Associated Press.